About a decade ago, my family’s ideal breakfast consisted of beverages. My mom has always been a fan of drinks for as long as I can remember. We would have breakfast around 8 am. Bournvita tea was not just a beverage in our house. It was a sibling. Ever since I was born, it has been my family’s go-to tea. We never bought the sachet. Instead, my mom would always refill the Bournvita container and replace it as soon as it was about to finish. Usually, my siblings and I would have Bournvita, milk, and just one cube of sugar. I know you might wonder if one cube of sugar was enough. However, my siblings and I were limited to one cube of sugar because according to my mom, “tea is already sweet, and you don’t need sugar.” In the event that there was no sugar, we would substitute it with one spoonful of honey. No more, no less.
My mom preferred liquid milk over powdered milk. But ever since my sister ended up in the hospital because she drank liquid milk, we switched to powdered milk, and we made it a habit to always check the expiry date. My mom is a coffee person. I mean, she used to be a pure tea person, but ever since she read a post on the internet about why it is good to use coffee instead of tea, she switched from team tea to team coffee or lemon tea. One thing about African parents is that they believe whatever they see on the internet. My mom tried to convert us to coffee lovers, but we had pledged our loyalty to the tea king. Always and forever.
My dad on the other hand has never been a fan of beverages for breakfast. While my siblings were busy enjoying our tea and my mom enjoying her coffee, my dad would sit with us at the dining table and eat “solid” foods. He could eat literally any Nigerian food for breakfast, just not beverages. He would always say that he is a businessman and his body needs enough heavy foods.”
Thanks to my mum who brought us up with Bournvita and milk. It is my go-to tea. Just what I need to relax. I love the “teacification” process of preparing bournvita and milk. It is blissful. I enjoy doing this on Saturday mornings. In school, Saturdays are my only free days. I treat myself like a king on these mornings. I love to imagine myself as a professional chef, preparing delicious dishes. Usually, I use lukewarm water to prepare my tea. I know you might find this weird, but once in a blue moon, I like to prepare my tea with cold (ice-coldwater.) I know this might sound weird, but just give it a try. It dances better on your tongue and the aftertaste is heavenly.
Every Saturday morning, I bring out my “tools”; bournvita, milk, sugar, and lukewarm water. And yeah, I grew up using just one cube of sugar, but ever since I got to school and started living alone, I use 3, sometimes 4. My mom would skin me alive if she sees this. Luckily, she is not on Hive. Bornvita and milk help me relax. They give me a head start. I remember the last time I treated myself to my specialty; ice-blocked water, Bournvita, and milk. We had electricity for more than a day, and the water in my fridge was very cold (icy). I seized the opportunity to treat myself well. All you need to do if you want to try this is stir well; and mix the ingredients carefully.
This is my entry to the INLEO monthly prompt.
All images in this post are mine.
Thanks for reading.
